Oh No, Not Another "help me decide" Thread!!

[bytheblood]

If you were renting points, this was the last holiday you would take to WDW in a long time, it is special because your husband is going (who does not like WDW) and you really want to do something different, which would you choose? Also, if you could tell me why you choose one over the other.


We are trying to decide between a 2-bedroom AKV Kidani Savanna View or Old Key West 2-bedroom villa.

I know nothing about the transportation at either, the amenities, which one feels more deluxe or what kind of food they have.

We are all pretty easy-to-please people, but I will admit that I like the "finer" things in life.

Me and my husband will be in the master bedroom, my daughter will have the living area to herself and my in-laws will be in the second bedroom.

Thoughts???


Sorry for the typo in my poll....that is what I get for not proof-reading!

 

[disneynutz]

There is no way that I can know your likes and dislikes. I can't tell you how many times people have expressed displeasure in following someone else's advice and finding out that they shouldn't have.

I had one person email me upset because they only saw a couple of animals at Kidani and apparently they thought that they would be surrounded by them.

Another posted that OKW was a let down because it's old. Of course it's old, it was the first DVC resort.

Stay at a different resort each vacation and decide for yourself. That's what we did and we had a blast.

Bill

 

[bytheblood]

There is no way that I can know your likes and dislikes. I can't tell you how many times people have expressed displeasure in following someone else's advice and finding out that they shouldn't have.

I had one person email me upset because they only saw a couple of animals at Kidani and apparently they thought that they would be surrounded by them.

Another posted that OKW was a let down because it's old. Of course it's old, it was the first DVC resort.

Stay at a different resort each vacation and decide for yourself. That's what we did and we had a blast.

Bill

I absolutely agree. Of course, that it why I asked, what would YOU do, instead of telling me what I should do. I like to hear what others think. Does not mean I have to do it, but somebody may provide a reason I had never thought of. I just cannot imagine going to Disney and coming home upset with anybody.

 

[disneynutz]

I absolutely agree. Of course, that it why I asked, what would YOU do, instead of telling me what I should do. I like to hear what others think. Does not mean I have to do it, but somebody may provide a reason I had never thought of. I just cannot imagine going to Disney and coming home upset with anybody.

Bill

 

[spiceycat]

cheap - so would pick OKW - it is less points and should therefore be less money.

 

[Chuck S]

It's a hard question to answer, and it depends upon your personal tastes. For instance, we like the Sanaa restaurant at Kidani AKV, but wouldn;t want to eat there every noght. We also like the simpler more homestyle food of Olivia's at OKW. The resort styles are different, the African theme a AKV is heavier, dark colors. OKW is more pastel/Florida theme. The room would be larger and "roomier" at OKW, so if you all planned on cooking anythin and dining together at the same table family style, I think OKW would be a great choice.

I you wan heavy theming and animals, then naturally I'd pick AKV.

I think Disney transportation would be about the same at both resorts.
You really wouldn't go wrong with either location. Have a great trip.

 

[JasonDVC]

If you were renting points, this was the last holiday you would take to WDW in a long time, it is special because your husband is going (who does not like WDW) and you really want to do something different, which would you choose? Also, if you could tell me why you choose one over the other.


We are trying to decide between a 2-bedroom AKV Kidani Savanna View or Old Key West 2-bedroom villa.

I know nothing about the transportation at either, the amenities, which one feels more deluxe or what kind of food they have.

We are all pretty easy-to-please people, but I will admit that I like the "finer" things in life.

Me and my husband will be in the master bedroom, my daughter will have the living area to herself and my in-laws will be in the second bedroom.

Thoughts???


Sorry for the typo in my poll....that is what I get for not proof-reading!

All three points lead to AKV!

We just came back from there last week and it is fantastic!

 

[dianeschlicht]

It really is a toss up between the two. When I first read your choices, I immediately thought AKV savanna view for the special experience, but when I saw you would have in-laws and others along, I changed my mind to think OKW was a better choice.

We own at both resorts, and while we love both, we find OKW so much easier to have guests than at AKV. There is a significant difference in the size of the villas, and somehow having the extra space, private entrance, and huge private balcony makes it much easier for us when we have guests. Even the extra bathroom at AKV didn't change our minds last time we had guests there. The whole time we were all (guests included) wishing we had stayed at OKW instead. Just the greater ease of getting to the parks and the more private LARGE accommodations was the main reason. Our guests liked the animals etc at AKV, but they thought it took too long to get to the other parks from there, and their time was short, so it made a difference to them.

I guess I would say base your decision on what you plan to do on this trip. If your focus is going to be to do as much at the parks as possible, then stay at OKW. If you are looking more for a total destination resort experience, then AKV should be the choice.

We never worry about what food is offered at the resort we are staying at, because we take advantage of ALL the WDW resorts when it comes to dining. If it makes a difference though, AKV has some wonderful restaurants while OKW has one moderate sit down dining space.

 

[2binak]

If you want really different, pick AKV! You can stay at a Florida-themed resort, well, anywhere in Florida, but AKV is the only place in Florida where you can stay at an African-themed resort complete with animals roaming the savannah outside of your room.

 

[calypso726]

We own at AKV and have stayed at OKW. I like the relaxing feel of OKW and it's nice but for us, nothing beats AKV. There is so much to see and do just at the resort itself. We just took my parents and I wanted them to have a unique experience that felt deluxe like so we chose AKV for the trip. My parents are not the Disney fanatics that we are by any stretch. We booked lunch at Sanaa upon arriving to set the tone. I requested a table by the window. They were so impressed with seeing the animals while they were dining and said they felt like they were in another world, not just here in Florida. Our room was a SV room and they absolutely loved relaxing on the balcony and watching the giraffes and the zebras along with all of the other animals. We made sure to have dinner at Jiko since the food and wine there is awesome and the service is fantastic! My parents were blown away and said they loved this trip! They actually want to go again next year. Next time, I plan to do CL room and add in the Wanyama Safari (which you can only do if staying at AKV/AKL) plus the Sunrise safari (available to AKV/AKL CL guests). That's my 2 cents, I hope it helps

 

[perfectparanoia]

cheap - so would pick OKW - it is less points and should therefore be less money.

This. And the villas are huge (and I think they are now done the refurb, right?)

 

[nunzia]

I voted for OKW because of the more 'condo' feel, where you can park right outside your door, and the style and design of the area. I would like being surrounded by water and greenery more than animals. I'd rather be closer to some of the action..DTD via the boats, than way out by Animal Kingdom. I think the design of AKV is very interesting and beautiful, but would feel more homey at OKW.

 

[Geezer]

I guess I would say base your decision on what you plan to do on this trip. If your focus is going to be to do as much at the parks as possible, then stay at OKW. If you are looking more for a total destination resort experience, then AKV should be the choice.

I agree with this. If I had that particular group, I'd probably choose OKW, but if you think the destination is more important, then go for AKV.

 

[bobbiwoz]

There is no hesitation on my part, I voted for AKV savannah view.

Bobbi

PS. Be aware that only 3 OKW buildings have elevators. Be aware that you may have a long walk to your AKV villa.

 

[dvc_john]

What would I do? That's easy. OKW!

OKW is my favorite DVC resort, while AKV is my least favorite. (I own at both so am not influenced by that.)

 

[bytheblood]

What would I do? That's easy. OKW!

OKW is my favorite DVC resort, while AKV is my least favorite. (I own at both so am not influenced by that.)

Just curious - why did you buy at AKV if you don't really care for it?

 

[dvc_john]

Just curious - why did you buy at AKV if you don't really care for it?

I bought it before it opened without ever having stayed at AKL. I thought I would like it better than I do, but I don't own that many points at AKV so it's not a big deal. (I don't 'dislike' it. It's just not my favorite.)

I've stayed there twice (once in Jambo and once in Kidani), and just feel so isolated there.

As they say, everyone has their own tastes, and there is a DVC for everyone. Many don't like OKW, but it is by far my favorite.

 

[SM81206]

ANIMAL KINGDOM!!! no contest

 

[dianeschlicht]

I bought it before it opened without ever having stayed at AKL. I thought I would like it better than I do, but I don't own that many points at AKV so it's not a big deal. (I don't 'dislike' it. It's just not my favorite.)

I've stayed there twice (once in Jambo and once in Kidani), and just feel so isolated there.

As they say, everyone has their own tastes, and there is a DVC for everyone. Many don't like OKW, but it is by far my favorite.

John, we feel similarily about AKV, but it's not our least favorite. We just much prefer OKW over it.

 

[Goofyhouk]

AKV savanna view definitely. Where else can you get that, except in Africa? Request a lower level room so you can see under the trees.